Reel and package for pile fabric



Jan. 25, 1966 c, o, WILLIAMS 3,231,080

REEL AND PACKAGE FOR PILE FABRIC Original Filed April 24. 1962 P in Clarence 0. W/7//'ams 1 N VEN TOR.

BY @waoiu United States Patent 3,231,080 REEL AND PACKAGE FOR FILE FABRIC Clarence G. Williams, 204 Kirkwood Ave, Rocky Mount, N.C. Continuation of application Ser. No. 2tl5,487, Apr. 24, 1962. This application July 6, 1962, Ser. No. 207,927 7 Claims. (Cl. 206-511) This application is a continuation of my copending application, Ser. No. 205,487, filed April 24, 1962 (now abandoned).

The present invention generally relates to an improved reel and package for storing and shipping pile fabrics such as velvet and the like especially in cardboard con tainers and in such a manner that the layers of fabric wound upon the reel are separate from each other.

Pile fabric reels presently in common use have been relatively expensive and heavy and requiring several skilled workers for their assembly. These heavy cumbersome reels required destruction of the shipping carton thereby preventing its re-use. Due to the expense of the reels, it was formerly necessary to maintain repair departments to keep them in repair rather than discarding the used reels. In addition to the creeling and repair departments, it was also necessary to maintain a carpenter shop and an assembly department for packaging fabrics of this nature.

Accordingly, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide a reel which is self-supporting and not in any way attached to the shipping carton thereby avoiding damage to the carton when shipping.

Another object of the invention is to provide for easy assembly of the reel by simply pressing the end spiders onto a spacing tube thus locking and aligning the same automatically.

A further important object of this invention is to provide a reel and package for pile fabric so that the same is easily assembled in such a manner that the outer container may be re-used.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive reel for pile fabrics making it practical to dspose of the reel rather than re-use the same.

Yet another important feature of the present invention is to provide a novel reel and package for pile fabric in which the reel and the carton are quite simple in construction and economically feasible for use for which the same is intended.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view illustrating the reel incorporated into the carton with portions of the carton broken away illustrating the relationship of the reel thereto;

FIGURE 2 is an exploded perspective view of the end portion of the reel;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged elevational view of a portion of the reel illustrating the relationship of the components thereof; and

FIGURE 4 is a detail sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 4-4 of FIGURE 2 illustrating the specific details of construction of one of the reel arms.

The drawing illustrates a reel for pile fabric placed in a carton having a rectangular cross-section to form a package in accordance with this invention. A centrally disposed metal plate A has four spaced arms B extending outwardly from said plate. Each of said arms has a web 3,231,939 Patented Jan. 25, 1966 vertically disposed with respect to said plate and fixed thereto. Hooks for the fabric are carried by the web. A projecting web portion C is carried at the inner end of each arm at right angles thereto and abuts against an adjacent web. A flat projecting web portion D is carried at the free end of each arm adapted to be received in a corner of the carton. A tube having spaced longitudinal slots E in an end thereof is adapted to receive a web member of each arm and to tightly contain the projecting web portions carried at the inner end of each arm. Projecting portions F extend vertically from the plate spaced beween said arms outside the tube thus forming a cup with the projecting web portions within the tube for confining the tube therein. The carton G is provided with suitable enclosures to receive an assembled reel carrying the fabric to form a package.

The metal plate A is preferably constructed of steel in the form of a rectangular blank 10. The vertical. projection portions F are illustrated in the form of upturned triangular corners 11 formed in the blank as by using a press brake. The reel includes a pair of such plates A in opposed relation, each plate carrying arms B to form end spiders.

The spaced arms B extend outwardly from the plate A and each has a flat longitudinally disposed web 12 vertical with respect to or normal to the plate and carried thereby. Each web 12 has a lower flange 13 to provide rigidity and strength. Additional reinforcing for each arm is provided by a longitudinal rib 14 which extends substantially to the outer end of each arm. The inner longitudinal edge of each web 12 has a row of spaced hooks 15 for fastening a convolution of fabric 16 thereto.

The projecting web portions C serve to join the arms B to each other and to the plate A. The web portions C are preferably welded to adjacent webs 12 and to the plate 10. This structure forms a sturdy hub for each spider of the reel. The projections also serve as a part of a clamping arrangement for a paper tube forming the core of the reel.

The flat projecting web portion D carried by the free end of each of the webs 12 are illustrated as being integral therewith and are adapted to serve as corner sup ports when the assembled reel is placed within the carton G. The web portions D are flat so as to avoid damage to the carton when supporting the reel therein. Another advantage of the plate portions is the ease with which the reel may be placed in and removed from the carton.

The longitudinal slots E are carried in each end of the paper spacer tube 17 and are circumferentially spaced so as to receive the webs 12. The tube 17 tightly receives the projecting web portions C so that the spiders are tightly joined thereto. The reel is formed when the spiders are positioned and spaced by the tube 17. Also, the triangular corners 11 engage the external surface of the tube 17 thus further securing the spiders in place. The corners 11 form substantially a cup element and are in opposed relation to the central portion of the portions of the tube 17 between the slots E. The tube 17 is thus tightly received by the cup carried by each spider.

The assembled reel is carried by a carton G having a rectangular cross-section formed by four elongated cardboard panels 18. The carton G is provided with suitable end closure members 19 and 2t and the closure 20 has a number of flaps 20a are preferably closed by suitable adhesive tape 21.

The assembly of the reel, the creeling and packaging is thus greatly simplified. With the creel of the invention, the creeling machine used in hooking the cloth can be used as a jig for assembly of the reel thus making it possible for the creeling personnel to also do the assembly Work. Because of the ease of disassembly of the package, the creel may be removed from the carton and then replaced after removing a desired amount of fabric thus protecting the unused fabric from dirt and damage. The disassembly of the reel is a simple operation also since the end spiders may be easily snapped off.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A reel for pile fabric adapted to be placed in a carton having a rectangular cross-section including, a centrally disposed metal plate, four spaced arms extending outwardly from said plate, each of said arms having, a web perpendicularly disposed with respect to said plate and fixed thereto, hooks for attaching the fabric carried by the web, a projecting web portion carried at the inner ends of each arm at right angles thereto butting against an adjacent web, a flat projecting web portion carried at the free end of each arm adapted to be received in a corner of the carton, a tube having spaced longitudinal slots in an end thereof adapted to receive a web of each arm and to tightly contain the projecting web portions at the inner end of each arm, and projecting portions extending perpendicularly from the plate spaced between said arms outside the tube forming a cup with the projecting web portions within the tube for confining the tube therein.

2. A package for pile fabric including, a reel, a carton having a rectangular cross-section receiving said reel, said reel including a pair of spaced opposed centrally disposed metal plates, four spaced arms extending outwardly from each of said plates, each of said arms having, a web perpendicularly disposed with respect to said plates and fixed thereto, hooks carried by the web receiving pile fabric, a projecting web portion carried at the inner ends of each arm at right angles thereto butting against an adjacent web, a flat projecting web portion carried at the free end of each arm adapted to be received in a corner of the carton, a tube having spaced longitudinal slots in each end thereof adapted to receive a web of each arm and to tightly contain the projecting web portions carried at the inner end of each arm, projecting portions extending perpendicularly from the plate spaced between said arms outside the tube forming a cup with the projecting web portion within the tube for confining the tube there in, and end closures for said carton.

3. In a reel for pile fabric, an end spider comprising a central plate and a plurality of arms extending radially from the central plate and being secured to the inner surface thereof in normal relation thereto, each arm having a plurality of longitudinally spaced projections on the inner edge thereof for engaging the convolutions of a pile fabric, said plate being provided with inturned corner portions located intermediate the arms for engaging the external surface of a spacer tube, the inner end of each arm having an offset abuttingly engaged with an adjacent arm and adapted to extend interiorly of the tube.

4. In a package for pile fabric, a reel structure comprising an elongated spacer tube adapted to extend through a hollow center of a spirally wrapped pile fabric roll, said spacer tube having circumferentially spaced longitudinal notches in each end thereof, an end assembly frictionally engaged with each end of said tube, each end assembly including a generally square plate having the corners thereof turned inwardly for overlying and engaging the exterior surface of the spacer tube intermediate the notches, a plurality of arms secured to the surface of said plate in generally perpendicular relation thereto with the arms being disposed intermediate the corner portions of the plate and including webs disposed perpendicular to the plate for reception in the notches in the spacer tube, the inner end of each web having an offset portion disposed perpendicular thereto for abutting engagement with an adjacent arm and being of a length whereby all of the offset end portions of the web will be received within the confines of the spacer tube for preventing collapse of the spacer tube and frictionally retaining the end member on the spacer tube, each web having a plurality of hooks extending substantially throughout the entire length of the inner edge thereof for engagement with the convolutions of the pile fabric .roll, the outer end of each web having an acute angular offset portion for engagement in the corner of a polygonal container whereby the arms form radii of said container.

5. The structure as defined in claim 4 wherein each web has an offset outer edge portion extending throughout the length thereof with the outer end of the offset edge portion being connected with and reinforcing the offset outer end of each web.

6. The structure as defined in claim 5 wherein said web is provided with a longitudinal reinforcing rib deformed outwardly from the web throughout the longitudinal length thereof for reinforcing the web.

7. In a package for pile fabric, a reel structure comprising an elongated spacer tube adapted to extend through a hollow center of a spirally wrapped pile fabric roll, said spacer tube having circumferentially spaced longitudinal notches in each end thereof, an end assembly frictionally engaged with each end of said tube, each end assembly including a generally square plate having the corners thereof turned inwardly and overlying and engaging the exterior surface of the spacer tube intermediate the notches, a plurality of arms secured to the surface of said plate in generally perpendicular relation thereto with the arms being disposed intermediate the corner portions of the plate and including webs disposed perpendicular to the plate and received in the notches in the spacer tube, the inner end of each web having an olfset portion disposed perpendicular thereto in abutting engagement with an adjacent arm and being of a length whereby all of the offset end portions of the web arm are received within the confines of the spacer tube for preventing collapse of the spacer tube and frictionally retaining the end member on the spacer tube, each web having a plurality of hooks extending substantially throughout the entire length of the inner edge thereof for engagement with the convolutions of the pile fabric roll, the outer end of each web having an angular offset portion for engagement in the corner of a polygonal container whereby the arms form radii of said container.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,356,787 8/ 1944 Hellyar 206-51 2,95 6,673 10/ 1960 Schauster 206-51 2,976,987 3/1961 Kessler 20651 THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner. EARLE J. DRUMMOND, Examiner. 

3. IN A REEL FOR PILE FABRIC, AN END SPIDER COMPRISING A CENTRAL PLATE AND A PLURALITY OF ARMS EXTENDING RADIALLY FROM THE CENTRAL PLATE AND BEING SECURED TO THE INNER SURFACE THEREOF IN NORMAL RELATION THERETO, EACH ARM HAVING A PLURALITY OF LONGITUDINALLY SPACED PROJECTIONS ON THE INNER EDGE THEREOF FOR ENGAGING THE CONVOLUTIONS OF A PILE FABRIC, SAID PLATE BEING PROVIDED WITH INTURNED CORNER PORTIONS LOCATED INTERMEDIATE THE ARMS FOR ENGAGING THE EXTERNAL SURFACE OF A SPACER TUBE, THE INNER END OF EACH ARM HAVING AN OFFSET ABUTTING ENGAGED WITH AN ADJACENT ARM AND ADAPTED TO EXTEND INTERIORLY OF THE TUBE. 